The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) of the U.S. Department of Commerce today released three rules to modernize BIS’s space-related export controls.
According to a BIS release (October 17, 2024), the updates include:
- A final rule that removes license requirements for exports of certain items involving remote sensing or space-based logistics, assembly, or servicing spacecraft destined for Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. BIS on November 1, 2024, announced that a public briefing will be held on November 6, 2024. Read the notice
- An interim final rule that removes license requirements for exports of certain spacecraft components to over 40 allies and partners worldwide, reducing licensing requirements for the least sensitive components for most destinations, and broadening license exceptions to support additional National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) cooperative programs. BIS extended the comment period to December 23, 2024. Read the release
- A proposed rule that outlines initial proposals to transfer jurisdiction of certain space-related defense articles that no longer provide a critical military or intelligence advantage from the U.S. Munitions List (USML) maintained by the Department of State to the Commerce Control List. BIS on November 1, 2024, announced that a public briefing will be held on November 6, 2024. Read the notice. BIS extended the comment period to December 23, 2024. Read the release
- Concurrently, the Department of State today also issued a proposed rule to amend the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) to revise USML Categories IV and XV and related sections of the ITAR to clarify and standardize the regulatory text, add items that warrant designation on the USML, and remove those items that no longer warrant designation on the USML. The State Department further proposes to add three new license exemptions to the ITAR.